5 roof-repair tips: How to fix leaks and broken shingles …

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In the home as in life its often the little things that matter. And its amazing how many small structural things can go wrong around your house. Whether its the front-door lock that wont let you into your own home or the cracked window that wont keep the cold out, small household problems can have a big effect. For most of these, theres no need to call for a repair professional the solution lies in tapping your ingenuity and using a few common household materials in innovative ways. Even when it seems that the roof is falling in or the floor is opening up beneath you there are often simple ways to solve larger problems on your own.

1. Go with the pro: Assessing a roof leak.

Some overhead leaks are due to minor problems such as a single torn shingle or a small hole in flashing that you can usually handle with a little DIY experience and some basic tools. But other situations call for a roofers expertise. If you cant fix the problem quickly and completely, call a professional as soon as possible; water damage spreads quickly, even from a small leak. A licensed roofer is best when:

2. Shingles bar: A bad storm has damaged a shingle on your roof; you need to protect the roof from further damage by way of the compromised shingle.

The quick fix Gather a tube of roofing cement and a piece of aluminum flashing (available at home centers). Cut the flashing about 1 inch narrower than the ripped tab and about 4 inches longer so that it extends under the tabs on either side. Use a flat pry bar to carefully loosen the damaged tab and the tabs to the left and right. Next, apply two or three thick beads of roofing cement to the surface beneath the shingle.

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Slip the flashing underneath and apply more roofing cement on top of the flashing. Press the tab down to adhere the flashing to the roof.

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5 roof-repair tips: How to fix leaks and broken shingles ...